Knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly

ABSTRACT

A controller assembly for a light fixture may include a controller housing to be received within a knockout opening of a light fixture housing from which light is emitted, and a user input assembly positioned within the controller housing. The user input assembly may include a mechanical actuator accessible through a controller opening in the controller housing, and a connector interface to be electrically connected by wiring to a driver of the light fixture, and circuitry electrically coupled to the mechanical actuator and the connector interface. The circuitry may be used to detect actuation of the mechanical actuator by a user and, in response, change a control signal from the connector interface to the driver from a first control signal to a second control signal in order change a property of the emitted light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light fixtures are available in a wide variety of types, sizes, andlighting property configurations. A common aspect of lighting designinvolves selecting light fixtures having lighting properties forlighting a space with the desired illumination. Existing light fixturesare manufactured with a single lighting property configuration, andtherefore multiple light fixtures of the same type and size may bemanufactured with different lighting property configurations, which isdisadvantageous from a production and inventory standpoint.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “thepresent invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly toall of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below.Statements containing these terms should not be understood to limit thesubject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of thepatent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patentare defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is ahigh-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introducessome of the concepts that are further described in the DetailedDescription section below. This summary is not intended to identify keyor essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intendedto be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to theentire specification of this patent, all drawings, and each claim.

In some embodiments, the present technology relates to a controllerassembly for a light fixture. The controller assembly may include acontroller housing to be received within a knockout opening of a lightfixture housing from which light is emitted, and a user input assemblypositioned within the controller housing. The user input assembly mayinclude a mechanical actuator accessible through a controller opening inthe controller housing, and a connector interface to be electricallyconnected by wiring to a driver of the light fixture, and circuitryelectrically coupled to the mechanical actuator and the connectorinterface. The circuitry may be used to detect actuation of themechanical actuator by a user and, in response, change a control signalfrom the connector interface to the driver from a first control signalto a second control signal in order change a property of the emittedlight.

In some embodiment, the controller housing may include a main bodyportion. The main body portion may define an internal cavity and theuser input assembly may be positioned within the internal cavity. Themain body portion may define a first end and a second end opposite thefirst end, and an end cap may be coupled to the first end of the mainbody portion. The end cap may define the controller opening proximatethe first end of the main body portion. In some embodiments, thecontroller assembly may also include a nut, and the main body portionmay defines a sidewall and a flange extending radially from thesidewall. The sidewall may also define threading proximate to theflange, and the nut may be threadedly coupled to the threading. The nutand flange may be used to clamp the light fixture housing around theknockout opening in order to couple the controller housing to the lightfixture housing.

In some embodiments, the main body portion may define a top portion anda bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion may snaptogether to define the main body portion. The top and bottom portionseach may define a portion of the flange and a portion of the threading.The end cap may rotatably couple to the flange. The flange may define aT-shaped channel, and the end cap may define a tab. The end cap mayrotatably couple to the flange by inserting the tab into the T-shapedchannel and rotating that end cap relative to the flange. The controlleropening in the end cap may be offset radially from an axis of rotationof the end cap. The mechanical actuator may extend through thecontroller opening during rotational coupling of the end cap to theflange. The controller opening may be arc shaped.

In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator includes a toggle pushbutton. In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator includes arotatable dial.

In some embodiments, an interior sidewall of the main body portiondefines channels, the circuitry comprises a printed circuit board, andthe printed circuit board engages the channels and is inserted into theinternal cavity by sliding along the channels. The channels may includeend stops, and the end stops block the channels proximate the second endof the main body portion so that the printed circuit board is retainedwithin the internal cavity by the end cap and the end stops.

In some embodiments, the main body portion defines a main body openingproximate the second end of the main body portion, and the main bodyopening provides access to the connector interface in order for thewiring to extend from the connector interface out of the internal cavityand be routed to the driver of the light fixture.

In some embodiments, a light fixture includes the controller assembly asdisclosed herein, and a light fixture housing defining a knockoutopening. The controller assembly may be positioned within the knockoutopening. The light fixture may also include a light source and a driverpositioned within the housing and electrically coupled to the controllerassembly and the light source. The driver is used to drive the lightsource. The driver may be configured to receive a control signal fromthe user input assembly of the controller assembly and, in response todetecting a change from receiving a first control signal to receiving asecond control signal, change the drive signal to the light source froma first drive signal corresponding to a first light property setting toa second drive signal corresponding to a second light property setting.The first and second light property settings may include light intensitysettings. The first and second light property settings may include colortemperature settings.

A light fixture may be assembly by removing a knockout from the lightfixture housing in order to define the knockout opening, inserting thecontroller housing into the knockout opening, and connecting the wiringbetween the connector interface and the driver. The controller housingmay include a main body portion defining a sidewall and a flangeextending radially from the sidewall. The sidewall may define threadingproximate to the flange. The method of assembly may include threading anut onto the threading in order to clamp a portion of the light fixturehousing around the knockout opening between the nut and the flange. Thecontroller housing may also include an end cap defining the controlleropening, and the method of assembly may include coupling the end cap tothe main body portion by rotating the end cap relative to the main bodyportion with a portion of the mechanical actuator extending through thecontroller opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present technology.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIGS. 1A-1F show views of a knockout mountable light fixture controllerassembly according to embodiments of the present technology.

FIGS. 2A-2H show views of a main body portion of a housing of a knockoutmountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments ofthe present technology.

FIGS. 3A-3D show views of a user input assembly of a knockout mountablelight fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of thepresent technology.

FIGS. 4A-4D show views of a sub-assembly of a main body portion and auser input assembly of a knockout mountable light fixture controllerassembly according to embodiments of the present technology.

FIGS. 5A-5D show views of an end cap of a housing of a knockoutmountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments ofthe present technology.

FIGS. 6A-6C show views of rotation of an end cap of a housing of aknockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according toembodiments of the present technology.

FIGS. 7A-7D shows views of a light fixture housing coupled to a knockoutmountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments ofthe present technology.

FIGS. 8A-8C shows views of a light fixture housing coupled to a knockoutmountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments ofthe present technology.

FIGS. 9A-9D show views of a knockout mountable light fixture controllerassembly according to embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a light fixture including aknockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according toembodiments of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is describedhere with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but thisdescription is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of theclaims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, mayinclude different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction withother existing or future technologies. This description should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among orbetween various steps or elements except when the order of individualsteps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directionalreferences such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and“back,” among others are intended to refer to the orientation asillustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which thecomponents and directions are referencing.

FIGS. 1A-1F show views of a knockout mountable light fixture controllerassembly 100, hereinafter referred to as a controller assembly 100. Aswill be discussed in greater detail below, the controller assembly 100may be mounted within a knockout opening of a light fixture housing andelectrically connected to drivers or controllers within the lightfixture in order to allow a user to change properties of light output bythe light fixture. As shown in FIG. 1A, the controller assembly 100 mayinclude a housing 102 in which a user input assembly 104 is positioned.In some embodiments, for example as shown in the front side perspectiveview of FIG. 1A, the user input assembly 104 includes a mechanicalactuator 105 accessible to a user through an opening in a portion of thehousing 102. As shown in the rear perspective view of FIG. 1B, in someembodiments, the housing 102 may provide access to the user inputassembly 104, for example to allow access for control cabling to connectbetween the user input assembly 104 and a driver of a light fixture.

FIGS. 1C and 1D show exploded views of a controller assembly 100,exploded along a longitudinal axis 106. In some embodiments, for exampleas shown, the housing 102 includes a main body portion 200 and an endcap 400. The end cap 400 may be coupled to the main body portion 200 ata first end 202 of the main body portion 200 in order to retain the userinput assembly 104 within an internal cavity 204 defined by the mainbody portion 200. In some embodiments, the housing 102 may also includea knockout coupling mechanism in order to couple the controller assembly100 to a light fixture housing when the controller assembly 100 iswithin a knockout opening of a light fixture housing. For example asshown in FIG. 2A, the knockout coupling mechanism may include a flange206 defined at the first end 202 of the main body portion 200 and acoupling nut 107 threadedly coupled to the threading 208 defined on themain body portion 200 adjacent to the flange 206. In some embodiments,the knockout coupling mechanism may include snap tabs define on the mainbody portion 200 configured to engage the inner perimeter of a knockoutopening in order to snap couple the main body portion 200 into theknockout opening.

In some embodiments, the user input assembly 104 is positioned entirelywithin the housing 102, which is beneficial in protecting circuitry ofthe user input assembly 104 from damage as well as protecting themechanical actuator 105 from unintentional manipulation. For example, asshown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1F, as indicated in FIG. 1E,the user input assembly 104 is positioned within the internal cavity 204of the main body portion 200 with a portion of the mechanical actuator105 positioned within an opening 402, also referred to as a controlleropening, defined by the end cap 400. Further, as shown in FIG. 1F, aconnector interface 302 of circuitry of the user input assembly 104 ispositioned proximate to a second end 203 of the main body portion 200,opposite the first end 202.

FIGS. 2A-2H show views of an embodiment of a main body portion 200 of ahousing 102. In some embodiments, the main body portion 200 may be anelongated cylinder in shape, i.e. tubular. The sidewall of the elongatedcylinder may define a cylindrical internal cavity 204, as shown in FIG.2E. The elongated cylinder may extend along the longitudinal axis 106between the first end 202 and the second end 203. The first end 202 ofthe main body portion 200 may define a first opening 210 into theinternal cavity 204. The first opening 210 may provide access to theinternal cavity 204 in order to position the user input assembly 104into the internal cavity 204. As shown in FIG. 2A, the first opening 210at the first end 202 may be circular.

The first end 202 of the main body portion 200 may include a flange 206at the first end 202. The flange 206 may extend radially away from thelongitudinal axis 106 and be larger than the outer sidewall 212 of themain body portion 200. For example as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a flange206 at the first end 202 may be a circular disk with a larger circulardiameter than a circular diameter of the sidewall 212. The flange 206may be sized and shaped to be larger than the knockout opening of thelight fixture housing so that the flange 206 abuts an outer surface ofthe light fixture housing around the knockout opening.

As noted above, the coupling mechanism for coupling the controllerassembly 100 to the housing of a light fixture may include threading 208and a nut 107. The main body portion 200 may define the threading 208 onthe outer surface of the sidewall 212 proximate to the flange 206 toengage the nut 107 to clamp to the light fixture housing around theknockout opening between the flange 206 and the nut 107, as shown inFIG. 8C discussed below.

The second end 203 of the main body portion 200 may define a secondopening 211 into the internal cavity 204 of the main body portion 200.The second opening 211 may provide access to the connector interface 302of the user input assembly 104 in order to electrically couple the userinput assembly 104 to a driver or controller of a light fixture. Thesecond opening 211 may include a circular opening portion 213. Thesecond opening 211 may include a sidewall opening portion 214 defined asan opening in the sidewall 212 of the main body portion 200. For exampleas shown in FIG. 2C, the second opening 211 may include a rectangularsidewall opening portion 214 extending in the longitudinal direction. Asshown in FIGS. 2E and 2F the second opening 211 may include both thecircular opening portion 213 and the sidewall opening portion 214.

The flange 206 may include features for coupling the end cap 400 to themain body portion 200. In some embodiments, the features may include oneor more T-shaped channels 216 defined in the radial sidewall of theflange 206. For example as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the flange 206 maydefine two t-shaped channels 216 radially opposed to each other. EachT-shaped channel 216 may include an entry channel portion 217 extendingin the longitudinal direction, and two locking radial portions 218extending in opposite direction radially around the flange 206. As willbe discussed in greater detail below, a tab 404 of the end cap 400 maybe inserted into the entry channel portion 217 until the tab 404 reachesan end of the entry channel portion 217, and the end cap 400 may then berotated in either direction so that the tab 404 is retained in one ofthe two locking radial portions 218. The locking radial portions 218 mayinclude detents for preventing reverse rotation, and thereforeuncoupling of the end cap 400 from the flange 206. In some embodiments,the features may include threading for threadedly coupling the end cap400 to the flange 206, or may include a lip for snap-fitting the end cap400 to the flange 206.

The internal cavity 204 may define channels 220 for receiving the userinput assembly 104. For example as shown in FIGS. 2E-2H, the internalsurfaces of the sidewalls 212 of the cylindrical internal cavity 204 maydefine channels 220 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 106. Thechannels 220 may be rectangular channels for receiving edges of acircuit board 304 of the user input assembly 104. The channels 220 mayextend in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 200 fromthe first end 202 toward the second end 203. The channels 220 may eachdefine an open end 221 at the first end as shown in FIGS. 2G and 2H toallow the user input assembly 104 to be inserted into the first opening210 and engage and slide along the channels 220. The channels 220 maydefine an end stop 222 proximate to the second end 203 in order toprevent the user input assembly 104 from translating out of the internalcavity 204 from the second end 203 when the user input assembly 104 isslid into place. The length of the channel 220 between the first end 202and the end stop 222 may correspond to the length of the user inputassembly 104.

In some embodiments, the user input assembly 104 includes circuitryconnected to the mechanical actuator 105. The circuitry may be includedin a printed circuit board 304. The mechanical actuator 105 may bemechanically and electrically coupled to the circuitry, for example thecircuit board 304. Actuation of the mechanical actuator 105 may causethe circuitry to output a control signal receivable by a driver, orcontroller, of a light fixture, as will be discussed in greater detailbelow.

FIGS. 3A-3D show views of an embodiment of a user input assembly 104. Asnoted above, a user input assembly 104 may include circuitry, forexample a circuit board 304, a mechanical actuator 105, and a connectorinterface 302. The connector interface 302 may include, but is notlimited to, a terminal block, a header, or pads to solder wires. Theuser input assembly 104 may be generally rectangular and may be sizedand shaped to be retained within the internal cavity 204 of the mainbody portion 200, as shown in FIG. 1F.

The circuit board 304 may be populated with circuitry components,including resistors, capacitors, transistors, and integrated circuitchips (for example programmable logic chips). The circuitry componentsmay translate inputs from the mechanical actuator 105 into electricalcontrol signals to wires connected to the connector interface 302. Thecontrol signals may correspond to different light propertyconfigurations of the light fixture. The light property configurationsmay include, but are not limited to, intensity/brightness, colortemperature, and color. In some embodiments, the user input assembly 104may include a plurality of mechanical actuators 105 coupled to thecircuitry, for example the circuit board 304. Each mechanical actuator105 may correspond to control of a different property of light emittedfrom the light fixture, and/or control a different portion of the lightfixture.

In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator 105 may be a toggle pushbutton, a switch, a slider, and/or a dial. For example, as shown inFIGS. 3A-3D, the mechanical actuator 105 may be a toggle push button.The circuitry of the circuit board 304 may be configured so thatactuation of the toggle push button changes a control signal from afirst control signal to a second control signal. The different controlsignals may include, but are not limited to, different resistances,different voltages, different currents, and different modulating signals(e.g. different frequencies, amplitudes and/or patterns thereof).

In some embodiments, actuating the mechanical actuator 105, for examplepressing the button once, may cause the control signal to toggle from afirst control signal to a second control signal, corresponding todifferent driver settings for outputting different light properties. Forexample, each press of the button may cause a change between a firstcontrol signal corresponding to a first setting (e.g. 14K lumens), and asecond control signal corresponding to a second setting (e.g. 20Klumens). In some embodiments, each press of the button may cause theoutput control signal to cycle through a series of three or moredifferent control signals. For example, with the circuitry outputting afirst control signal, a press of the button may cause a change tooutputting a second control signal. With the circuitry outputting thesecond control signal, a press of the button may result in a change tooutputting a third control signal. With the circuitry outputting thethird control signal a press of the button may result in a change tooutputting back to the first control signal to complete the series. Theseries of different control signals may include any number of controlsignals, for example 5 different signals corresponding to 5 differentlevels of brightness.

In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator 105 is a dial, rotatablearound an axis. Rotation may be detected by the circuitry and cause thecircuitry to change the control signal in order for the light propertiesof the light fixture to be changed. In some embodiments, the dialincludes predetermined discrete radial positions, e.g. click positions,each corresponding to a discrete control signal corresponding to adiscrete light fixture setting. In some embodiments, rotation of thedial corresponds to a continuous change of a control signalcorresponding to continuous change of light fixture settings. Forexample, rotating the dial may correspond to a continuous change ofcolor around the spectrum from red to violet, including all hues inbetween.

FIGS. 4A-4B show a sub-assembly of the main body portion 200 of thehousing 102 and the user input assembly 104. As shown, the user inputassembly 104 is positioned within the internal cavity 204 of the mainbody portion 200. As noted above, in some embodiments, the user inputassembly 104 may be slid into the internal cavity 204 from the firstopening 210, with sides of the circuit board 304 engaging the channels220. In some embodiments, the user input assembly 104 may be slid intothe internal cavity 204 from the second opening 211. In someembodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 9A-9D, the main body portion200 may be formed of multiple components, which snap together, and theuser input assembly 104 may be assembled between the multiplecomponents. For example, as shown the main body portion 200 may includea top portion 901, FIG. 9C, and a bottom portion 902, FIG. 9D. The topportion 901 includes tabs 903 which snap into notches 904 defined by thebottom portion 902. As shown in FIG. 9A, the top portion 901 and thebottom portion 902 may together define the flange 206 and threads 208 asdiscussed above.

The user input assembly 104 may be positioned within the main bodyportion 200 of the housing so the connector interface 302 is positionedproximate to the second opening 211, as shown in FIG. 4A, in order to beaccessible for connecting cables connected to the driver of the lightfixture. The mechanical actuator 105 may be positioned proximate to thefirst opening 210 as shown in FIG. 4B.

FIGS. 5A-5D show an embodiment of an end cap 400. As noted above, insome embodiments, the end cap 400 is removably coupled to the main bodyportion 200 of the housing 102. The end cap 400 may substantially coverthe first opening 210 at the first end 202 of the main body portion 200.In some embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the endcap 400 is disk shaped, and includes a recess 401. The recess 401 may beshaped and sized to fit around the flange 206. In some embodiments, theend cap 400 includes tabs 404 within the recess 401 to be receivedwithin a T-shaped channel 216 of the flange 206. The end cap 400 maydefine an opening 402 for the mechanical actuator 105. In someembodiments, the mechanical actuator 105 may extend through and out ofthe opening 402. In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator 105 mayextend into and reside in the opening 402. In some embodiments, theopening 402 may provide access for a user to access the mechanicalactuator 105 within the internal cavity 204 of the main body portion200. In some embodiments, the opening 402 may be centered on thelongitudinal axis 106 of the main body, or may be radially offset fromthe longitudinal axis 106.

In some embodiments, the opening 402 may be shaped, sized, andpositioned so that the end cap 400 may rotate around the longitudinalaxis 106 while the mechanical actuator 105 is positioned within theopening 402, for example when coupling the end cap 400 to the flange206. For example, the opening 402 may be arced with a bean shape asshown in FIG. 5B. In some embodiments, the opening 402 is shaped toallow for rotation of the end cap 400 with a mechanical actuator 105offset from the longitudinal axis 106. For example, to couple the endcap 400 as shown in FIG. 5A to a flange 206, the tabs 404 of the end cap400 may be positioned within the T-shaped channels 216, and the end cap400 may be translated over the flange 206 so that the flange 206 iswithin the recess 401. In this position, the mechanical actuator 105 maybe positioned in a central portion of an arced opening 402, as shown inFIG. 6A. The end cap 400 may then be rotated clockwise, FIG. 6B, orcounter-clockwise, FIG. 6C, in order to couple the end cap 400 to theflange 206. The arced opening 402 allows for the rotational motion ofthe end cap 400 with the radially offset mechanical actuator 105. Insome embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the coupling ofthe end cap 400 may be accomplished with less than 20 degrees ofrelative rotation of the end cap 400 and main body portion 200 which isbeneficial in maintaining a small opening 402 thus protecting thecontents of the housing 102.

The controller assembly 100 may be coupled to a housing of a lightfixture so that the end cap 400 is positioned outside of the housing ofthe light fixture and the circuitry of the user input assembly 104 ispositioned inside of the housing of the light fixture, with themechanical actuator 105 accessible from outside of the housing of thelight fixture so that a configuration of the light properties of thelight output by the light fixture may be changed via the mechanicalactuator 105 without opening the housing of the light fixture. FIGS.7A-7D show steps of coupling a controller assembly 100 to a housing 700of a light fixture.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a first step may include removing knockout from thehousing 700 of light fixture. The knockout may be a partially stampedportion of the housing removable to define a knockout opening 702 of apredetermined size, for example 0.875″. As shown in FIG. 7B, with theknockout opening 702, defined the main body portion 200 of the housing,may be placed in the knockout opening 702 and clamped to housing withthe flange 206 remaining outside of the housing 700. For example, asdiscussed above, the flange 206 may be sized and shaped to be largerthan the knockout opening 702 of the light fixture housing 700 so thatthe flange 206 abuts an outer surface of the light fixture housing 700around the knockout opening 702, and then a nut 107 may be threaded onthe threads 208 proximate to the first end 202, after the main bodyportion 200 is inserted into the knockout opening 702. In someembodiments, the main body portion 200 may include spring tabs sized fora press-fit within the knockout opening 702.

As shown in FIG. 7C, with the main body portion 200 positioned withinthe knockout opening 702, the user input assembly 104 may be inserted inthe internal cavity 204 of the main body portion 200. In someembodiments, the user input assembly 104 may be positioned within themain body portion 200 prior to inserting the main body portion 200 intothe knockout opening 702.

In some embodiments, wiring connected between the connector interface302 and a driver of the light fixture may be pulled through the mainbody portion 200 from the second opening 211 and through the firstopening 210 prior to inserting the user input assembly 104 into theinternal cavity 204 of the main body portion 200. In some embodiments,the user input assembly 104 may be inserted into the main body portion200 prior to connecting the wires to the connector interface 302.

As shown in FIG. 7D, with the user input assembly 104 placed within themain body portion 200 the end cap 400 may be coupled to the main bodyportion 200, as shown in FIG. 7D, in order to retain the user inputassembly 104 within the internal cavity 204. For example, the user inputassembly 104 may be positioned within the channels 220 and preventedfrom translation, e.g. sliding along the channels 220, in thelongitudinal direction by the stop end stop 222 and the end cap 400. Insome embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 7D, the end cap 400 iscoupled to the main body portion 200 with the mechanical actuator 105accessible through the opening 402.

FIGS. 8A-8C, similar to FIGS. 7A-7C, show an embodiment of a controllerassembly 100 being coupled to a housing 800 of a light fixture. As shownin FIG. 8A a knockout opening 802 may be defined in the housing 800 ofthe light fixture. As shown in FIG. 8B, the controller assembly 100 maybe positioned within the knockout opening 802 so that the end cap 400and a portion of the mechanical actuator 105 are positioned externallyof the housing 800 of the light fixture. As shown, in some embodimentsthe end cap 400 may be coupled to the main body portion 200 with theuser input assembly 104 inside the internal cavity 204 prior toinsertion of the controller assembly 100 into the knockout opening 802.As shown in the internal light fixture housing view of FIG. 8C, the nut107 may be threaded onto the main body portion 200 in order to clamp thelight housing fixture 800.

In some embodiments, a light fixture housing 700 800, including acontroller assembly 100, may be suspended from a ceiling, for example byhangers which may be cables, chains, rods, or other suitable hangers.The light fixture may direct downlight downward into a room, and thecontroller assembly may be accessible from the external portion of thelight fixture housing allowing the light properties of the downlight tobe adjusted after installation without accessing the internals of thelight fixture housing. This is beneficial in allowing a change of theoutput light properties without programming the driver or stockingmultiple different specific drivers.

The circuitry of the user input assembly 104 may be coupled to circuitryof the light fixture. For example, the circuitry of the user inputassembly 104 may be coupled to one or more drivers, for driving lightsources of the light fixture. FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of alight fixture 1000 including a controller assembly 100, as discussedabove. As shown, the light fixture 1000 includes a controller assembly100 electrically coupled to a driver 1002. In some embodiments, thecontroller assembly 100 may be coupled to a controller coupled to one ormore drivers 1002. The driver 1002 is connected to a power source 1004.The power source 1004 may provide power to the controller assembly 100.In some embodiments, the light fixture operates on direct current (DC)power supplied by the power source 1004, e.g. a transformer. The powersource may be mounted outside of the housing 1005 of the light fixture,as shown in FIG. 10 , or within the housing 1005 of the light fixture.

The light fixture may further include one or more light sources 1003.The light sources may be electrically coupled to the drivers 1002. Thelight sources 1003 may include LEDS, and the drivers 1002 may be LEDdrivers. The drivers 1002 may receive DC power from the power source1004. The drivers 1002 may produce controlled current, based on acontrol signal received from the controller assembly 100, that is routedto the light sources.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the method and system of thepresent invention without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention includemodifications and variations that are within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents. It is to be understood that any workablecombination of the features and capabilities disclosed herein is alsoconsidered to be disclosed.

1. A controller assembly for a light fixture, comprising: a controllerhousing configured to be received within a knockout opening of a lightfixture housing from which light is emitted; and a user input assemblypositioned within the controller housing, the user input assemblycomprising: a mechanical actuator configured to be accessible through acontroller opening in the controller housing, a connector interfaceconfigured to be electrically connected by wiring to a driver of thelight fixture, and circuitry electrically coupled to the mechanicalactuator and the connector interface, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to detect actuation of the mechanical actuator by a user and,in response, change a control signal from the connector interface to thedriver from a first control signal to a second control signal in orderchange a property of the emitted light, wherein the first control signaland the second control signal differ from one another by at leastproperty selected from a group consisting of resistance, voltage,current, and modulation.
 2. The controller assembly of claim 1, whereinthe controller housing comprises: a main body portion, wherein the mainbody portion defines an internal cavity and the user input assembly ispositioned within the internal cavity, and wherein the main body portiondefines a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and an endcap coupled to the first end of the main body portion, wherein the endcap defines the controller opening proximate the first end of the mainbody portion.
 3. The controller assembly of claim 2, further comprising:a nut, wherein the main body portion defines a sidewall and a flangeextending radially from the sidewall, wherein the sidewall definesthreading proximate to the flange, wherein the nut is threadedly coupledto the threading, and wherein the nut and flange are configured to clampthe light fixture housing around the knockout opening in order to couplethe controller housing to the light fixture housing.
 4. The controllerassembly of claim 3, wherein the main body portion defines a top portionand a bottom portion, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion areconfigured to snap together to define the main body portion, and whereinthe top and bottom portions each define a portion of the flange and aportion of the threading.
 5. The controller assembly of claim 3, whereinthe end cap is adapted to rotatably couple to the flange.
 6. Thecontroller assembly of claim 5, wherein the flange defines a T-shapedchannel, wherein the end cap defines a tab, and wherein the end cap isadapted to rotatably couple to the flange by inserting the tab into theT-shaped channel and rotating that end cap relative to the flange. 7.The controller assembly of claim 5, wherein the controller opening inthe end cap is offset radially from an axis of rotation of the end cap.8. The controller assembly of claim 7, wherein the mechanical actuatoris configured to extend through the controller opening during rotationalcoupling of the end cap to the flange.
 9. The controller assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the controller opening is arc shaped.
 10. Thecontroller assembly of claim 8, wherein the mechanical actuatorcomprises a toggle push button.
 11. The controller assembly of claim 8,wherein the mechanical actuator comprises a rotatable dial.
 12. Thecontroller assembly of claim 2, wherein an interior sidewall of the mainbody portion defines channels, wherein the circuitry comprises a printedcircuit board, and wherein the printed circuit board is configured toengage the channels and be inserted into the internal cavity by slidingalong the channels.
 13. The controller assembly of claim 12, wherein endstops block the channels proximate the second end of the main bodyportion, and wherein the printed circuit board is retained within theinternal cavity by the end cap and the end stops.
 14. The controllerassembly of claim 2, wherein the main body portion defines a main bodyopening proximate the second end of the main body portion, and whereinthe main body opening is configured to provide access to the connectorinterface in order for the wiring to extend from the connector interfaceout of the internal cavity and be routed to the driver of the lightfixture.
 15. A light fixture, comprising: the controller assembly ofclaim 1; a light fixture housing defining a knockout opening, whereinthe controller assembly is positioned within the knockout opening; alight source; a driver positioned within the light fixture housing andelectrically coupled to the controller assembly and the light source,wherein the driver is configured to drive the light source, wherein thedriver is configured to receive a control signal from the user inputassembly of the controller assembly and, in response to detecting achange from receiving a first control signal to receiving a secondcontrol signal, change the drive signal to the light source from a firstdrive signal corresponding to a first light property setting to a seconddrive signal corresponding to a second light property setting, whereinthe first control signal and the second control signal differ from oneanother by at least one property selected from a group consisting ofresistance, voltage, current, and modulation.
 16. The light fixture ofclaim 15, wherein the first and second light property settings are lightintensity settings.
 17. The light fixture of claim 15, wherein the firstand second light property settings are color temperature settings.
 18. Amethod of assembling the light fixture of claim 15, the methodcomprising: removing a knockout from the light fixture housing in orderto define the knockout opening; inserting the controller housing intothe knockout opening; and connecting the wiring between the connectorinterface and the driver.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thecontroller housing comprises a main body portion, wherein the main bodyportion defines a sidewall and a flange extending radially from thesidewall, wherein the sidewall defines threading proximate to theflange, wherein the method further comprises threading a nut onto thethreading in order to clamp a portion of the light fixture housingaround the knockout opening between the nut and the flange.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the controller housing further comprises anend cap, wherein the end cap defines the controller opening, wherein themethod further comprises coupling the end cap to the main body portionby rotating the end cap relative to the main body portion with a portionof the mechanical actuator extending through the controller opening.